Hong Kong Open: Pearly-Thinaah finish as runners-up

SHAH ALAM - The dream of the Malaysian women's doubles team, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, to clinch their first title of the year was unfulfilled as they were defeated by Indonesia's Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti in the final of the Hong Kong Open today.

In the match held at the Hong Kong Coliseum, the world's 10th-ranked pair got off to a strong start by winning the first set 21-14.

However, a fierce battle unfolded in the second set as the Indonesian pair fought back point by point to secure a 24-22 victory.

Entering the third set, Pearly-Thinaah seemed to lose their way as they trailed 0-6 at one point before eventually conceding defeat with a score of 9-21 in a 73-minute match.

Pearly-Thinaah had advanced to the final by defeating the sibling pair from Thailand, Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard, with scores of 21-13, 21-18 in the semifinals.

Apriyani-Siti Fadia, ranked 12th in the world, secured their spot in the final by defeating Denmark's Maiken Fruergaard-Sara Thygesen with scores of 21-16, 23-21.

This victory marked the Indonesian pair's third win out of five meetings against Pearly-Thinaah.

As a record, this is Pearly-Thinaah's second final appearance this season after finishing as runners-up in the Masters Malaysia in May.